-
entertainment
-
Celebrities
-
Movies & TV
-
Music & Books
-
Travel
-
Comedy
-
Games
-
Sports & Hobbies
-
-
style
-
Fashion
-
Unique You
-
Shopping
-
-
body & soul
-
Fitness
-
Illness
-
Prevention
-
Emotional Well-Being
-
Faith & Spirit
-
Dreams
-
Astrology
-
-
home & food
-
Recipes
-
Cooking
-
Keeping House
-
Gardening
-
Entertaining
-
-
love & sex
-
Friendships
-
Family
-
Dating
-
Partnership
-
Sex
-
Moving On
-
-
parenting
-
Planning
-
Pregnancy
-
Raising Kids
-
Classroom
-
Mom's Time
-
Working Mom
-
Memories
-
The Art and Anarchy of Burning Man
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
An Aerial View
When Burning Man is in full swing, it becomes the seventh-largest city in Nevada. Black Rock City (BRC), as the community is called, rises up on the dusty bed of an ancient lake, commonly called “the playa.”
Photo source: AKA Dillweed (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Department of Public Works
Volunteers create the city’s infrastructure, but participants are responsible for bringing all their own supplies and taking all waste with them when they leave, a principle called “radical self-reliance.”
Photo source: AFlickion (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Radio Free Burning Man
BRC features all the amenities of a real city, including bars, medical facilities, food stands, and even its own radio station, which broadcasts twenty-four hours a day.
Photo source: smoobs (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Fish Bike
Most burners get around the playa by bike. While some bring old disposable beaters, others bring outrageously creative contraptions.
Photo source: AFlickion (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Bug Car
Only cars with permits can drive on the playa, and their creators make sure that the vehicles are weird, wild, and interesting.
Photo source: mdanys (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Crib Car
All the art cars on the playa are monitored by the Black Rock City DMV, which stands for Department of Mutant Vehicles.
Photo source: william.neuheisel (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Playa Surfing
Some burners make their wheels an extension of their costume.
Photo source: christopher (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Shopping Cart Car
Community is so strong on the playa that many people make provisions to give rides to others.
Photo source: pattista (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Zebra Man
One of the core tenets of Burning Man is that everyone must be a participant, not a spectator. This leads to a very “anything goes” ethos when it comes to attire.
Photo source: Aflickion (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Fire Dance
Since the daytime temperature can get as warm as 107 degrees, much of the activity at Burning Man takes place at night.
Photo source: kaloozer (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Giant Slide
In keeping with the traditions of community and participation, many burners arrange and bring activities, entertainment, and other amenities for the benefit of their fellow BRC citizens.
Photo source: AFlickion (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Gas Masks
Dust storms happen frequently on the playa, so many experienced burners are ready with gas and particle masks, as well as goggles.
Photo source: Perfecto Insecto (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Group Chant
The community takes every opportunity to get together and create art, music, performance, or do anything that creates a feeling of togetherness.
Photo source: Livin-Lively (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Tying the Knot
Since the festival is an integral part of many participants’ lives, it only makes sense that some would choose to celebrate their marriage here.
Photo source: christopher (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Truck Sculpture
The festival is known for mind-bending art installations. Each year follows a different theme. This sculpture, from 2007, follows the theme of “The Green Man.”
Photo source: Jesse Wagstaff (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Traffic Cones
In 2005, the theme was “Psyche.”
Photo source: paperdog2005 (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Venus Fly Trap
Each installation is trucked in from elsewhere and completely assembled on the playa, then disassembled at the end of the week. This piece from 2006 is part of the theme, “Hope and Fear: The Future.”
Photo source: Smoobs (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
Dragon
Many art pieces are assembled on the open playa away from campsites, giving the landscape an alien, otherworldly feel. This piece was assembled for 2009’s theme of “Evolution.”
Photo source: Perfecto Insecto (cc)
Every summer, tens of thousands of people gather in the Nevada desert for the weeklong exercise in radical self-reliance and self-expression known as Burning Man. The festival is now known for its amazing art, its inclusive community, and yes, a lot of weirdness and anarchy.
The Burn
The week culminates with the burning of a wooden effigy known as “the man.” He represents society-at-large, the stifling of creativity, and the prohibition of free expression.
Photo source: lightmatter (cc)
burning man, burning man photos, burning man pics, art, crazy art, festival (view other popular tags)
Your stories, musings, and advice are welcome here. We know you've got something to share, so jump in!

© Copyright 2012, Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved |
By using this site, you agree to our
Terms of Service.






















